Lessons from Katrina and implications for Hawaiʻi focus of upcoming event

Ten years after one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history tore through New Orleans, a group of experts and specialists will convene to revisit the impact of Hurricane Katrina and discuss important lessons learned from the disaster and their implications for the future of Hawaiʻi.

“Given the recent increased frequency and intensity of storms threatening our islands, this topic is important and relevant,” said NDPTC Executive Director Karl Kim. “We have great resources from many different disciplines here at UH and we need to come together, share information and work together to build resilience.”

As part of the event, a group of expert panelists will share varying perspectives on the hazards and impact of natural disasters in the state. Panelists will include experts from a variety of fields including UH Mānoa meteorology professor Gary Barnes, sociology lecturer Jen Darrah, Director of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting George Atta, and engineering professor Ian Robertson.

Added Kim, “It is about combining the latest science and technology with a deep understanding of community vulnerabilities and social conditions so that we can better mobilize resources to plan for, respond to and recover from catastrophic events.”

Event details

“Lessons from Katrina and Implications for Hawaiʻi” will be held on Thursday, November 12 with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at the UH Mānoa Saunders Courtyard. The reception will be followed by presentations and panel discussion in Crawford Lecture Hall at 7 p.m.